GAO
Agencies withheld records needed to verify DOGE data safeguards, GAO says
A review of six agencies could not establish the full extent of DOGE’s system access or whether security rules were followed. Two agencies challenged the watchdog’s authority to investigate.
Lawmakers call for watchdog review of Transportation’s passenger privacy practices
The Department of Transportation “has never taken a single enforcement action related to privacy,” Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, said in a letter to the Government Accountability Office.
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House Democrats ask GAO to review CISA workforce cuts
Lawmakers want Congress’ watchdog to assess what capabilities were lost after the cyber agency shed roughly one-third of its staff.
The watchdog gets watched: GAO’s hiring process length faces scrutiny
In a new report by the inspector general for the Government Accountability Office, investigators also found that in fiscal 2024 the agency excluded certain data from time-to-hire calculations and was inconsistent about when the hiring process started.
National crisis and support hotline operations remained consistent despite staffing cuts, watchdog found
Some staff operating mental health support hotlines at the departments of Health and Human Services and Veterans Affairs were subject to reductions in force last year and have not yet been replaced.
GAO official suggests addressing AI risks through existing legislation
Nick Marinos, the managing director of IT and cybersecurity issues at GAO, said leveraging existing avenues for cybersecurity information sharing can expedite getting AI safety policies into law.
DOGE took credit for savings that never happened, watchdog finds
The Department of Government Efficiency claimed tens of billions of dollars in savings on its infamous “Wall of Receipts,” but the Government Accountability Office found it touted savings that never happened and could not be substantiated.
The Technology Modernization Fund has saved little — but big savings are expected later — GAO finds
The head of GSA — which administers the TMF — argued that the GAO report understates the benefit of the program because it distinguishes between cost savings and cost avoidance.
The path to better program management: a road still less traveled
COMMENTARY | In spite of important reform efforts and legislation, our government still faces problems in managing and implementing major programs and systems modernizations.
Senators ask watchdog to probe IRS Free File program
The IRS is relying on the Free File partnership with tax prep companies to offer most Americans a free way to file online after cancelling Direct File, a government-run alternative.
Treasury missed security controls in giving DOGE system access, GAO finds
The finding is among the first oversight reports Congress’ watchdog has released about the controversial cost-cutting team.
Agencies are missing a step to share information on better AI acquisition, GAO finds
A new oversight report that sampled four federal agencies underscored several hindrances to effective AI adoption, including a lack of policies for collecting lessons learned in the technology’s acquisition.
Lawmaker calls for GAO review of threat actors weaponizing AI
In a letter to the federal watchdog, Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, warned that “the nature and scope of the challenges associated with countering these AI-enabled threats are not well understood.”
Vought takes aim at GAO in new guidance
This is not the first time the head of the Office of Management and Budget has pushed back against Congress’ watchdog.
Republican lawmakers ask GAO to review current AI regulatory landscape
Leaders in the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee have asked the Government Accountability Office to examine the regulatory landscape at both the state and federal level.
Exit interview: GAO’s Gene Dodaro talks impoundments, tenure and retirement priorities
The outgoing comptroller general reflects on leading the agency through national crises, building a skilled workforce and guiding federal oversight before his term ends Dec. 29.
Dave Powner returns to GAO, this time to advocate for its bipartisan, cost-saving work
“We are the watchdog for the Congress, and it's really important that they collectively know our value,” congressional relations official Dave Powner told Nextgov/FCW.
Emerging tech can be a ‘double-edged-sword’ for agencies, experts warn
Safely incorporating emerging systems like artificial intelligence and quantum computing demand the overhaul of legacy systems and rigorous cyber hygiene, federal officials say.
Agency AI use doubled in 2024, GAO finds
Results from a 2023 to 2024 survey indicate rapid growth of mission support-oriented artificial intelligence tools in federal workplaces.
National Cyber Director should lead quantum cyber preparations, GAO says
Marisol Cruz Cain, the watchdog’s head of cybersecurity and information, told lawmakers that the Office of the National Cyber Director remains GAO’s pick to coordinate a national post-quantum strategy.
